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VOL. 44 | NO. 41 | Friday, October 9, 2020

Is your workplace a COVID-19 risk?

Don’t look to State of Tennessee for help

Since the coronavirus pandemic first surfaced in Tennessee in March, monthly worker complaints to occupational safety and health regulators have more than doubled, with 1,000 complaints so far showing a possible connection to COVID-19.

RICHARD COURTNEY: REALTY CHECK

Packing up is hard to do: Sell the house and get out

Houses keep selling, often more quickly than owners anticipated. With the holidays approaching, many sellers who were not expecting the houses to sell and close in such a short time period are attempting to push the buyers into allowing them to stay longer in their homes.

REAL ESTATE

Davidson County real estate trends for September 2020

September 2020 real estate trends for Davidson County, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

Local Weather
Currently
Nashville, TN
44.1°F
Overcast
Wind: West at 6.9 mph
Humidity: 60%

EVENTS

Virtual Young Professionals Luncheon. Williamson Chamber event will feature Tom Atema Jr., owner & CEO of Atema Partners and author of “The Failure Myth.” Zoom link will be sent out before the event. Registration required. Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Information

more events »

Davidson County real estate trends for third quarter 2020

Third quarter 2020 real estate trends for Davidson County, as compiled by Chandler Reports.

US long-term mortgage rates change little; 30-year at 2.87%

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates changed little this week, flattening in recent weeks following a year-long decline amid economic anxiety in the recession set off by the coronavirus pandemic. Home loan rates have remained at historically low levels.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Vrabel quietly handling Titans’ crises

It certainly feels like the Tennessee Titans have been cut adrift by the NFL as they try to figure out just how to proceed in the wake of the club’s rash of COVID-19 cases.

Biggest challenge for Titans is getting back on the field

First down: Conquer COVID. The Titans were handed an unexpected bye week instead of playing the Steelers, and their preparation for the Bills – provided that will be played – will no doubt be different from any the Titans have prepared for.

Undefeated Bills, Titans set to face off if testing allows

NASHVILLE (AP) — The NFL's ranks of undefeated teams should thin by one Tuesday night when the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans finally meet in a rescheduled game.

NFL does major juggling of schedule due to coronavirus

The NFL has juggled its regular-season schedule due to coronavirus outbreaks with the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots.

NEWSMAKERS

Karbowiak to retire from Bridgestone Americas

Bridgestone leader and industry veteran Christine Karbowiak has announced she will retire after more than 28 years of service. She will remain in her roles as executive vice president, executive officer, G-Chief sustainability officer and member of the global executive committee of Bridgestone Corporation, and executive vice president, chief administrative officer and member of the executive committee of Bridgestone Americas until the end of 2020.

BRIEFS

Entrepreneur Center launches Renew Nashville

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center is launching Renew Nashville, a citywide initiative designed to provide small businesses and entrepreneurs negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with expertise and resources aimed at increasing their rate of survival.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

New wheels on a budget: 5 for less than $25K

Small sedans and hatchbacks were once the entry point to new car ownership for many people. But consumers’ increasing preference for small SUVs has led to lower sales. As a consequence, a number of automakers have discontinued their small sedans and hatchbacks.

PERSONAL FINANCE

Beware high-risk homes that drive up insurance

When house hunting, the price of homeowners insurance probably isn’t top of mind. But homes with hidden risks can make getting coverage difficult, expensive or both. Learning how to identify them could save you a bundle.

CAREER CORNER

How to delay dreaded order to return to the office

The letters WFH used to be mainly used by the tech industry. But, as work from home is becoming more common, so is the use of this important acronym.

MILLENNIAL MONEY

Create financial stability to help navigate shaky times

In a year that has thrown a pandemic, natural disasters and economic calamity at us while we lurch closer to a presidential election, stability can feel elusive. No matter how well laid your plans, some new crisis might be lurking around the corner, waiting to upend your life.

NASHVILLE SC

Mukhtar scores twice, Nashville beats Houston Dynamo 3-1

HOUSTON (AP) — Hany Mukhtar scored two of Nashville's three first-half goals in a 3-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee's revenues come above projections once again

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee officials announced Wednesday that September revenues once again came in higher than state projections, but warned that possible declines could be on the horizon.

MIDSTATE

Fairview mayor accused of shoplifting $281 in items resigns

FAIRVIEW (AP) — A middle Tennessee mayor accused of shoplifting nearly $300 worth of items from a Target store has resigned from his post.

BANKING

Morgan Stanley 3Q profit rises 25%, helped by trading

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Morgan Stanley said Thursday that profit rose 25% in the third quarter from last year, as the investment bank benefitted from a boost in trading revenue as well as higher investment banking fees.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

AP-NORC poll: Americans critical of Trump handling of virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Less than three weeks from Election Day, majorities of Americans are highly critical of President Donald Trump's handling of both the coronavirus pandemic and his own illness, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

US jobless claims climb to 898,000 as layoffs remain

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week by the most in two months, to 898,000, a historically high number and evidence that layoffs remain a hindrance to the economy's recovery from the pandemic recession.

Drugstore chain Walgreens rebounds with $373M 4Q profit

COVID-19 took another bite out of Walgreens Boots Alliance quarterly numbers but this time left behind better-than-expected earnings.

Waiting for Brexit: Another deadline, likely another delay

BRUSSELS (AP) — It is yet another vital deadline day in the four-year torturous trek called Brexit, but Spoiler Alert!: most likely nothing will happen.

ELECTION 2020

Biden raises record $383 million in September

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raised $383 million for his election effort in September, a record-breaking sum that eclipses the unprecedented fundraising from the previous month.

Dueling town halls for Trump, Biden after debate plan nixed

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden will compete for TV audiences in dueling town halls instead of meeting face-to-face for their second debate as originally planned.

AP Explains: Trump seizes on dubious Biden-Ukraine story

WASHINGTON (AP) — Looking to undermine rival Joe Biden 20 days before the election, President Donald Trump's campaign has seized on a tabloid story offering bizarre twists to a familiar line of attack: Biden's relationship with Ukraine. But the story in the New York Post raises more questions than answers, including about the authenticity of an email at the center of the story.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Senate Judiciary sets Oct. 22 vote on Barrett's nomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee convened on Thursday set an Oct. 22 vote on Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court nomination as Republicans race to confirm President Donald Trump's pick before the Nov. 3 election.


WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14
TENNESSEE TITANS

Tannehill scores 4 TDs as depleted Titans beat Bills 42-16

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans just put together their most gratifying victory of coach Mike Vrabel's short tenure.

STATEWIDE

Gov. Lee, first lady in quarantine after exposure to COVID-19

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced Wednesday that he is in quarantine after a member of his security detail tested positive for the coronavirus.

Early voting kicks off in Tennessee

NASHVILLE (AP) — Early voting started Wednesday in Tennessee for the Nov. 3 election, and polling places in Nashville, Memphis and other cities were seeing long lines of people ready to cast their ballots.

COURTS

Federal judge rules Tennessee abortion law unconstitutional

NASHVILLE (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that Tennessee's 48-hour waiting period law for abortions is unconstitutional because it serves no legitimate purpose while placing a substantial burden on women who seek abortions in Tennessee.

Tennessee judge reprimanded for sexting women in his robes

COOKEVILLE (AP) — A Tennessee judge has been publicly reprimanded for engaging in sexually explicit communications with a woman who formerly had a child custody matter before him and another woman whose law firm does business with the judge's court, among others.

MEDIA

Cable news ratings increase 72% compared to 2019

NEW YORK (AP) — It's not difficult to figure out which television networks are benefiting from the presidential election, and which ones should worry about next year.

BANKING

Goldman Sachs profits nearly doubles, helped by trading

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (AP) — Goldman Sachs said Wednesday that its profits jumped sharply in the third quarter, helped by a strong performance by its trading desks and less need to set aside funds to cover potentially bad loans.

Wells Fargo posts $2 billion profit in 3Q, reversing 2Q loss

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — Wells Fargo says it earned $2 billion in the third quarter, less than half of what it made in the same period last year but a significant improvement from this year's second quarter, when it posted a loss as the coronavirus swept through the U.S.

Bank of America profit falls 15.6% in third quarter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Consumer banking giant Bank of America says third-quarter profit declined 15.6% from a year earlier, but saw less need to put aside money to cover potentially bad loans, citing improvements in the U.S. economy.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

World Bank approves $12B to finance virus vaccines, care

The World Bank has approved $12 billion in financing to help developing countries buy and distribute coronavirus vaccines, tests, and treatments, aiming to support the vaccination of up to 1 billion people.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

United loses $1.8 billion, aims to shift focus to recovery

United Airlines financial hole grew deeper over the summer as a modest recovery in air travel slowed down, pushing the carrier to a loss of $1.84 billion in the typically strong third quarter.

Stocks fall on Wall Street as hopes fade for stimulus deal

Stocks gave up early gains and closed lower Wednesday, adding to Wall Street's losses from a day earlier.

Pilgrim's Pride reaches plea deal on chicken price-fixing

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. has reached a plea agreement with the U.S. government over charges of price-fixing in the chicken industry.

G-20 suspends poor nations' debt payments for 6 more months

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Group of 20 nations, representing the world's biggest economies, agreed Wednesday to extend the suspension of debt payments by an additional six months to support the most vulnerable countries in their fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

US wholesale prices up 0.4% in September as food costs surge

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesale prices jumped 0.4% in September as food costs rose by the largest amount since May.

Walmart to spread out deals to avoid Black Friday crowds

NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart says it will spread out its traditional one-day Black Friday deals over three weekends in November in an effort to reduce crowds in its stores during a pandemic.

ELECTION 2020

Fighting in swing states, Trump also forced to play defense

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is being forced to play Electoral College defense with a trip to Iowa, a state he won handily in 2016 but where Democrat Joe Biden is making a late push before the Nov. 3 vote.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump falsifies Biden stance on fracking

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is persisting with the myth that Democratic rival Joe Biden proposes to ban fracking. Biden doesn't.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Barrett keeps Democrats, Trump at bay in Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Over and over, Amy Coney Barrett said she'd be her own judge if she's confirmed to the Supreme Court. But she was careful not to take on the president who nominated her and sought to create distance between herself and her past personal positions, writings on controversial subjects and even her late mentor.

AP FACT CHECK: Sen. Cruz scrambles the stats on Obamacare

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators examining Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court heard a wildly inaccurate statement from one of their own Wednesday about how much health insurance premiums have risen since the inception of "Obamacare."

Takeaways: Pardon power, silent mics on Barrett's final day

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett faced a second day of questions Wednesday from the Senate Judiciary Committee as Democrats kept up their focus on health care three weeks before the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Barrett tells doubtful Dems she'd keep open mind on court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett presented herself Friday in her final round of Senate confirmation questioning as a judge with a conservative approach and deeply held personal and religious beliefs but committed to keeping an open mind in rulings on the court.

Barrett back on Capitol Hill for senators' final questions

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett returns to Capitol Hill for a third day of confirmation hearings as senators dig deeper into the conservative judge's outlook on abortion, health care and a potentially disputed presidential election — the Democrats running out of time to stop Republicans pushing her quick confirmation.


TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13
VANDERBILT SPORTS

Vanderbilt at Mizzou is 1st SEC game postponed by COVID-19

Vanderbilt's football game at Missouri on Saturday has been postponed because COVID-19 issues have left the Commodores without enough available players.

TENNESSEE TITANS

No positive tests for Titans; game on with Bills

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have no positive tests, and they will host the Buffalo Bills as rescheduled for Tuesday night, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

GM had personal stake in protecting Titans from COVID-19

NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee general manager Jon Robinson has a very personal stake in keeping the Titans safe during the coronavirus pandemic. He hopes people around the NFL understand he has tried to do everything the right way.

NASHVILLE AREA

State museum displaying Cordell Hull's Nobel Peace Prize

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee State Museum is displaying Cordell Hull's Nobel Peace Prize medal to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

REAL ESTATE

Landlords are getting squeezed between tenants, lenders

NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to sympathetic figures, landlords aren't exactly at the top of the list. But they, too, have fallen on hard times, demonstrating how the coronavirus outbreak spares almost no one.

TECHNOLOGY

AP Explains: The promise of 5G wireless - speed, hype, risk

A much-hyped network upgrade called "5G" means different things to different people.

AUTO INDUSTRY

Used vehicle prices up as supply sinks, but relief is coming

DETROIT (AP) — It cost a whole lot more to buy a used SUV, car, truck or van last month than it did before the coronavirus hit, and that almost singlehandedly caused September's modest consumer price increase.

COURTS

Trump lawyers ask Supreme Court to halt tax record turnover

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday asked the Supreme Court to put on hold an appeals court ruling that Trump's accountant must immediately turn over tax records to a New York state prosecutor, setting up a decision from the high court that could come before Election Day.

FBI: Groups also discussed kidnapping Virginia governor

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — Members of anti-government paramilitary groups implicated in an alleged plot to kidnap Michigan's governor over measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus during a fraught election year also discussed abducting Virginia's governor, an FBI agent testified Tuesday.

Supreme Court won't revive Trump case brought by Democrats

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court declined Tuesday to revive a lawsuit filed by members of Congress against President Donald Trump alleging that he illegally profits off the presidency.

MEDIA

Disney reorg to further bolster company's focus on streaming

Disney said Monday that it is reorganizing its business units to focus even more on streaming.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

More masks, less play: Europe tightens rules as virus surges

GENEVA (AP) — Governments across Europe are ratcheting up restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus as the continent recorded its highest weekly number of new infections since the start of the pandemic.

Europe eyes new restrictions as virus cases hit record high

GENEVA (AP) — Governments across Europe ratcheted up restrictions Tuesday in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus as the continent recorded its highest weekly number of new infections since the start of the pandemic.

AP-NORC poll: New angst for caregivers in time of COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — The coronavirus pandemic has thrust many Americans into the role of caring for an older or disabled loved one for the first time, a new poll finds.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks end lower as Wall Street pauses after a 4-day rally

Stocks are ending lower as Wall Street takes a pause after a four-day winning streak. The S&P 500 index fell 0.6%.

McConnell slates October revote on GOP COVID relief plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that he's scheduling a procedural vote on a GOP COVID-19 relief bill next week, saying aid to hard-hit businesses shouldn't be held up by gridlock involving other aid proposals.

WTO says EU can put tariffs on $4 billion of US goods

GENEVA (AP) — International arbitrators said Tuesday that the European Union can impose tariffs and other penalties on up to $4 billion worth of U.S. goods and services over illegal American support for plane maker Boeing. The move further sours transatlantic ties at a time when the coronavirus has doused trade and savaged economies.

Uptick for retiree checks in 2021 amid coronavirus worries

WASHINGTON (AP) — Social Security recipients will get a modest 1.3% cost-of living-increase in 2021, but that might be small comfort amid worries about the coronavirus and its consequences for older people.

Consumer prices rise 0.2% in September, used vehicles spike

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) — U.S. consumer prices rose slightly in September, led again by sharp increases in the index for used vehicles.

Delta posts $5.4 billion 3Q loss as pandemic hammers travel

The summer travel season was even worse than expected for Delta Air Lines, which said Tuesday that it lost $5.4 billion in the third quarter as people hunkered down at home during the pandemic.

IMF envisions a sharp 4.4% drop in global growth for 2020

WASHINGTON (AP) — The International Monetary Fund foresees a steep fall in international growth this year as the global economy struggles to recover from the pandemic-induced recession, its worst collapse in nearly a century.

China's trade growth accelerates in Sept; exports up 9.9%

BEIJING (AP) — China's trade picked up in September as global demand for masks and medical supplies boosted exports and the economy's early reopening gave producers an edge over foreign competitors.

ELECTION 2020

Bloomberg gives $500,000 to juice Dem turnout in Miami-Dade

WASHINGTON (AP) — Billionaire former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg is donating $500,000 to juice Democratic turnout in Miami-Dade County, a place where the party must bank a massive number of votes if it hopes to win the pivotal swing state of Florida.

Biden makes big push in Ohio, once seen as long shot for him

CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Biden made two campaign stops Monday in Ohio, attempting to expand the battleground map and keep President Donald Trump on the defensive in a state long thought to be out of reach for Democrats after Trump's wide margin of victory there four years ago.

Bipartisan Christian group forms super PAC to oppose Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — A group of prominent Christians from both sides of the aisle, including a past faith adviser to former President Barack Obama, is forming a political action committee designed to chip away at Christian support for President Donald Trump in the final weeks of the 2020 campaign.

Michelle Obama, LeBron James team to help boost early voting

WASHINGTON (AP) — A voter initiative led by Michelle Obama is partnering with a similar group founded by NBA star LeBron James and other prominent Black athletes and entertainers to sponsor events in major U.S. cities starting next week to generate excitement about voting early for the Nov. 3 election.

Senate Democrats' fundraising success puts GOP on defensive

WASHINGTON (AP) — Buoyed by massive fundraising success, Democratic Senate candidates are mounting a push in Republican states that few would have thought possible just a few months ago, placing continued GOP control of the chamber at risk.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Takeaways: Barrett is reticent as Dems focus on health care

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett faced her first day's worth of questions Tuesday from Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and it was a calmer affair than other recent confirmation hearings.

Barrett refuses to commit to recusal in election cases

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett batted back Democrats' skeptical questions on abortion, gun rights and election disputes in lively Senate confirmation testimony Tuesday, insisting she would bring no personal agenda to the court but would decide cases as they come.

Barrett cites 'Ginsburg rule' that Ginsburg didn't follow

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett invoked Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at her Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday in refusing to discuss her view of gay rights and the Constitution.

AP FACT CHECK: Lindsey Graham revises history on Obamacare

WASHINGTON (AP) — The senator leading Supreme Court confirmation hearings Tuesday launched into revisionist history on "Obamacare," implying it was designed to help Democratic states like California, New York and Massachusetts while doling out less to states like his, South Carolina.

Barrett to face senators on health care, legal precedent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett will face senators' questions over her approach to health care, legal precedent and even the presidential election during a second day of confirmation hearings on track to lock in a conservative court majority for years to come.


MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
VANDERBILT SPORTS

Vanderbilt at Mizzou is 1st SEC game postponed by COVID-19

Vanderbilt's football game at Missouri on Saturday has been postponed because COVID-19 issues have left the Commodores without enough players.

UT SPORTS

Tennessee has lots to work on after snapping winning streak

The 18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers have plenty of areas to work on after have their eight-game winning streak ended.

NASHVILLE SC

Gerso, Hurtado help Sporting KC beat Nashville SC 2-1

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Gerso Fernandes and Erik Hurtado scored and Sporting Kansas City rallied to beat Nashville SC 2-1 on Sunday night.

NASHVILLE AREA

Nashville investigating big worship event outside courthouse

NASHVILLE (AP) — Nashville officials are investigating a worship event outside the historic courthouse Sunday that packed together a big, largely unmasked crowd, despite rising new case counts of COVID-19 in Tennessee.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Tennessee state senator resting at hospital after aneurysm

NASHVILLE (AP) — A Tennessee state senator is resting comfortably at the hospital after suffering an aneurysm last week, a Senate GOP spokesperson said Monday.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee State researchers, others study wood-boring beetle

NASHVILLE (AP) — A group of researchers from Tennessee State University will help develop new ways to manage a wood-boring beetle that attacks trees, the university said.

HEALTH CARE

Health care law on line at court, but is it likely to fall?

WASHINGTON (AP) — To hear Democrats tell it, a Supreme Court with President Donald Trump's nominee Amy Coney Barrett could quickly get rid of the law that gives more than 20 million Americans health insurance coverage.

MEDIA

Facebook bans Holocaust denial, distortion posts

Facebook is banning posts that deny or distort the Holocaust and will start directing people to authoritative sources if they search for information about the Nazi genocide.

TECHNOLOGY

Microsoft attempts takedown of global criminal botnet

Microsoft announced legal action Monday seeking to  disrupt a major cybercrime digital network that uses more than 1 million zombie computers to loot bank accounts and spread ransomware, which experts consider a major threat to the U.S. presidential election.

ENVIRONMENT

EU plans big building renovation project to save energy

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is announcing a major building renovation project this week seeking to cut down energy costs and polluting emissions while providing a big boost to the construction industry.

BANKING

Bank of England asks banks on readiness for negative rates

LONDON (AP) — The Bank of England has asked commercial banks whether they are ready for negative interest rates, signaling that the central bank is moving closer to cutting its key interest rate below zero.

Saudi's National Commercial Bank buys Samba in $14.8B deal

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia's National Commercial Bank said Sunday it will purchase rival lender Samba Financial Group in a deal valued at $14.8 billion, creating what would become the kingdom's largest bank.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Strong gains for technology stocks send Wall Street higher

Stocks marched higher again on Monday, as Wall Street extended its gains from last week's rally, the market's best in three months.

Global watchdog proposes tax overhaul for Big Tech

LONDON (AP) — A global economic watchdog on Monday proposed an overhaul of international tax rules to make sure big tech companies pay their dues, and warned that failure to adopt it would make the economic recovery from COVID-19 harder.

Twilio buys Segment for $3.2B as demand for cloud tech booms

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Twilio is buying customer data start-up Segment in a stock deal valued at about $3.2 billion as demand for cloud technology surges during the pandemic.

Amid COVID, many businesses in precarious spot as 2020 ends

NEW YORK (AP) — The final three months of the year, usually a boom time for many small businesses thanks to holiday shopping and celebrations, looks precarious as the coronavirus maintains its grip on the economy.

ELECTION 2020

Trump vs. Biden: Where they stand on health, economy, more

WASHINGTON (AP) — Amid the tumult of the 2020 presidential campaign, one dynamic has remained constant: The Nov. 3 election offers voters a choice between substantially different policy paths.

Biden blasts Trump, GOP for prioritizing court

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden is blasting President Donald Trump and Republicans for fast-tracking a Supreme Court nomination while negotiations plod along on a new coronavirus economic relief package.

Vision 2020: How soon will we know the US election outcome?

WASHINGTON (AP) — How soon will we know the results of the U.S. election?

Trump's task: Resetting campaign that GOP fears is slipping

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is running out of time to recover from a series of self-inflicted setbacks that have rattled his base of support and triggered alarm among Republicans who fear the White House is on the verge of being lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

AP FACT CHECK: Trump's shaky claims on virus, Dem misfires

WASHINGTON (AP) — Impatient to return to the campaign trail, President Donald Trump dubiously claimed he's fully recovered and immune from COVID-19, hailed a cure that isn't so and declared the coronavirus is "disappearing" even as cases spiked.

Dem challenger in SC Senate race raises record $57 million

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Democrat Jaime Harrison has shattered congressional fundraising records, bringing in $57 million in the final quarter for his U.S. Senate campaign against Republican incumbent Lindsey Graham as the GOP tries to retain control of the chamber in the Nov. 3 election.

Graham's last stand? Senator leads Barrett court hearings

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina is wielding the gavel in the performance of his political life.

Federal judge upholds Minnesota's extended ballot counting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge has upheld a state court agreement that extends Minnesota's deadline for counting absentee ballots by seven days.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Takeaways: Coronavirus at center of Supreme Court hearings

WASHINGTON (AP) — The coronavirus won't surrender the national stage to anyone — not to President Donald Trump, Judge Amy Coney Barrett or majority Republicans holding the power to confirm nominees to the Supreme Court.

Health care is focus as Barrett Supreme Court hearing opens

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats branded Supreme Court  nominee Amy Coney Barrett a threat to Americans' health care during the coronavirus pandemic Monday at the start of a fast-tracked hearing that Republicans are confident will end with Barrett's confirmation to replace the late  Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg before Election Day.

Harris: GOP wants court to do its 'dirty work'

WASHINGTON (AP) — California Sen. Kamala Harris says Republicans are trying to get the Supreme Court to do their "dirty work" by installing a new justice who will overturn the Affordable Care Act.

Senator wants Barrett recusal in election cases

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal says Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett must recuse herself from any cases involving President Donald Trump and the outcome of the Nov. 3 election.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9
TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans get good news with no positive results

NASHVILLE (AP) — The Tennessee Titans got some good news Friday with no positive test results hours after the NFL rescheduled their game with Buffalo to Tuesday night, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.

STATEWIDE

Tennessee restaurant chain must pay $563K in back wages

CLARKSVILLE (AP) — A small Tennessee restaurant chain has been ordered to pay $563,350 in back wages to 120 employees after the U.S. Department of Labor found it violated minimum wage and overtime rules.

NASHVILLE AREA

Rescue Mission women's shelter under quarantine due to virus

NASHVILLE (AP) — An outbreak of the new coronavirus at a Tennessee women's shelter is forcing about 150 people to quarantine, a spokesman for Nashville's Metro Public Health Department said Thursday.

COURTS

High court to continue hearings by phone through December

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Friday it will continue to hear arguments by telephone through at least December because of the coronavirus pandemic.

2 former eBay employees plead guilty in harassment scheme

BOSTON (AP) — Two former eBay Inc. employees pleaded guilty Thursday to their roles in a campaign to terrorize a publisher and editor of an online newsletter critical of the company with a scheme that included live spiders and other disturbing deliveries sent to their home.

Politics has way of finding Supreme Court eager to avoid it

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court might prefer to avoid politics, but politics has a way of finding the court.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

UN: New daily record as COVID-19 cases hit more than 350,000

GENEVA (AP) — The World Health Organization has announced a new daily record high in coronavirus cases confirmed worldwide, with more than 350, 000 infections reported to the U.N. health agency on Friday.

UK bolsters salary support for those hit by local lockdowns

LONDON (AP) — The British government said Friday it will pay two thirds of the salaries of workers in companies that have to close as a result of new coronavirus restrictions widely expected to come into effect next week.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks climb, closing out biggest weekly gain in 3 months

Stocks rose again on Wall Street Friday, closing out their biggest weekly gain since July, as talks continue their start-and-stop drive on Capitol Hill to deliver more aid to the ailing economy.

White House ups offer in virus aid before talks with Pelosi

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is boosting its offer in up-and-down COVID-19 aid talks Friday in hopes of an agreement before Election Day, even as President Donald Trump's most powerful GOP ally in the Senate said Congress is unlikely to deliver relief by then.

Trump administration targets diversity hiring by contractors

American companies promising to hire more Black employees in leadership roles and teach their workforce about racism are getting a message from President Donald Trump's administration: Watch your step if you want to keep doing business with the federal government.

ELECTION 2020

Why won't White House say when Trump last tested negative?

WASHINGTON (AP) — It is a basic, crucial question and one the White House refuses to answer: When was President Donald Trump's last negative test for the coronavirus before he tested positive last week?

On radio, TV, Trump sets out to get campaign back on track

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump set out to get his campaign back on track Friday, a week after he was sidelined by the coronavirus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans.

Twitter tightens limits on candidates ahead of US election

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Twitter is imposing tough new rules that restrict candidates from declaring premature victory and tighten its measures against spreading misinformation, calling for political violence and spreading thoughtless commentary in the days leading up to and following the Nov. 3 U.S. election.

Next debates uncertain, though Oct. 22 at Belmont is likely

WASHINGTON (AP) — The campaign's final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden were thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the rival camps offered dueling proposals for the remaining faceoffs that have been upended by the president's coronavirus infection.

Trump says he's ready for rallies but details slim on health

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump insisted Thursday that he is ready to resume campaign rallies and feels "perfect" one week after his diagnosis with the coronavirus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans, as his doctor said the president had "completed his course of therapy" for the disease.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

US, Russia said close to deal on nuclear warhead freeze

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. and Russian negotiators have agreed in principle to continue freezing their nuclear warhead stockpiles in a bid to salvage their last remaining arms control pact before it expires next year, a person familiar with the talks said Friday.

Pelosi unveils 25th Amendment bid, questions Trump's fitness

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unveiled legislation Friday that would allow Congress to intervene under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution to remove the president, insisting it's not about President Donald Trump but inspired by the need for greater congressional oversight of his White House.

Trump: Justice Dept. had 'plenty of time' for Durham probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday piled more criticism on the status of the Justice Department's investigation into the origins of the Russia probe, after reports that Attorney General William Barr has said not to expect conclusions before Election Day.


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8
TENNESSEE TITANS

Bills-Titans, Broncos-Patriots rescheduled by NFL

The Bills-Titans game has been moved from Sunday to Tuesday night at 7 p.m. EDT as long as Tennessee has no more positive tests for COVID-19 in the interim.

TECHNOLOGY

UK lawmakers warn Huawei 5G may need to be banned earlier

LONDON (AP) — A committee of British lawmakers is urging the government to consider banning Chinese technology giant Huawei from next-generation mobile phone networks two years earlier than planned.

COURTS

Prominent Trump, GOP fundraiser charged in covert lobbying effort

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elliott Broidy, a prominent fundraiser for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, has been charged in an illicit lobbying campaign aimed at getting the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the multibillion-dollar looting of a Malaysian state investment fund.

13 charged in plots against Michigan governor, police

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Agents foiled a stunning plot to kidnap Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, authorities said Thursday in announcing charges in an alleged scheme that involved months of planning and even rehearsals to snatch her from her vacation home.

Law enforcement preps for potential election-related unrest

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal and state law enforcement officials have begun expanded preparations for the possibility of widespread unrest at the polls on Election Day, a response to extraordinarily high tensions among voters and anxieties about safety stoked in part by President Donald Trump.

BANKING

JPMorgan puts $30B toward fixing banking's 'systemic racism'

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — JPMorgan Chase said Thursday it will extend billions in loans to Black and Latino homebuyers and small business owners in an expanded effort toward fixing what the bank calls "systemic racism" in the country's economic system.

Morgan Stanley still shopping, buys Eaton Vance for $7B

NEW YORK (AP) — Morgan Stanley will buy the investment management firm Eaton Vance in a deal valued at about $7 billion.

VIRUS OUTBREAK

DC faults White House over Rose Garden event, urges testing

WASHINGTON (AP) — In an extraordinary step, the Washington, D.C., Department of Health has released an open letter appealing to all White House staff and anyone who attended a Sept. 26 event in the Rose Garden to seek medical advice and take a COVID-19 test.

Antibody drugs are no cure but seem promising for COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — They're not cures and it's not likely that everyone will be able to get them as President Donald Trump has suggested. But experimental antibody drugs like the one Trump was given are among the most promising therapies being tested for treating and preventing coronavirus infections.

'So frustrating': Doctors, nurses battle virus skeptics

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Treating the sick and dying isn't even the toughest part for nurse Amelia Montgomery as the coronavirus surges in her corner of red America.

Trump hails virus treatment, says he's ready to do rallies

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump insisted Thursday that he is ready to resume campaign rallies and feels "perfect," although questions persist about the course of his recovery from COVID-19.

England's big northern cities braced for more lockdown curbs

LONDON (AP) — The British government is mulling fresh restrictions on everyday life in England, potentially in the big northern cities such as Liverpool and Manchester, amid mounting fears that hospitals in coronavirus hot spots may soon be overwhelmed by growing numbers of patients.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Stocks climb again on Wall Street with hopes for stimulus

Stocks rose for the second day in a row Thursday, reflecting hope on Wall Street that Washington can approve more aid for the economy and encouragement from a report that suggests the pace of layoffs is slowing a bit, even though it remains incredibly high.

COVID-19 relief helps push U.S. budget deficit to a record $3.1T

WASHINGTON (AP) — New, eye-popping federal budget figures released Thursday show an enormous $3.1 trillion deficit in the just-completed fiscal year, a record swelled by coronavirus relief spending that pushed the tally of red ink to three times that of last year.

Pelosi 'at the table' even after Trump scrapped virus talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she's "at the table" and ready to negotiate a coronavirus aid package even after President Donald Trump halted talks abruptly. His decision earlier this week sent the jittery economy reeling and left his GOP allies scrambling as millions of Americans go without jobless assistance, hoped-for business support or expanded testing protocols weeks before Election Day.

Drive-thru dominates even as dine-in restrictions ease

Even with cities like New York relaxing rules for dining in, sales figures from chains like McDonalds and Domino's Pizza on Thursday suggest that most people continue to favor keeping their distance.

US layoffs still high, but so is skepticism on jobless data

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits dipped last week to a still-high 840,000, evidence that layoffs remain elevated seven months into the pandemic recession.

IBM to spin off $19B business to focus on cloud computing

ARMONK, N.Y. (AP) — IBM says it is breaking off a $19 billion chunk of its business to focus on cloud computing.

Pope commits to clean finances amid scandal in backyard

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis told European anti-money laundering experts Thursday that the Vatican was committed to "clean finance," as he denounced financial speculation amid a spiraling corruption investigation in the heart of the Holy See.

ELECTION 2020

Biden to participate in ABC town hall on Oct. 15

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden will participate in an ABC News town hall on Oct. 15, the date originally slated for a second town hall presidential debate between the Democrat and President Donald Trump.

Trump, Biden teams debate debate: Virtual or not, next week?

WASHINGTON (AP) — The fate of the final debates between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden was thrown into uncertainty Thursday as the campaigns offered dueling proposals for moving forward with a process that has been upended by the president's coronavirus infection.

USDA head Perdue cited for breaking law by backing Trump reelection

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal watchdog agency has concluded that Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue violated the law in advocating for the reelection of President Donald Trump during an August visit to North Carolina. The Office of Special Counsel called on Perdue to reimburse the government for costs associated with his participation in the event.

Facebook removes fake accounts linked to conservative group

Facebook has removed 276 accounts that used fake profiles to pose as right-leaning Americans and comment on news articles, often in favor of President Donald Trump, the company announced Thursday.

Biden, Harris aim to tip battleground Arizona for Democrats

PHOENIX (AP) — When Dolores Novoa left Orange County, California, for her new home in a Phoenix suburb, there was one thing at the top of her to-do list.

Facebook braces for contested election, voter intimidation

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Facebook said it's readied new safeguards for the 2020 U.S. elections that have it better prepared to deal with candidates who prematurely declare victory or contest official results and the possibility of voter intimidation by alleged — and potentially armed — "poll watchers."

VP Debate Takeaways: Pandemic looms over a more civil fight

WASHINGTON (AP) — In normal times, vice presidential debates don't matter much. But in an election year as wild as 2020, everything is magnified.

AP FACT CHECK: Pence on climate, Harris on taxes, in debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Although more buttoned-up on the stage than his boss, Vice President Mike Pence nevertheless echoed many of President Donald Trump's falsehoods in the one and only debate with Democratic rival Kamala Harris.

Fly on Pence's head generates buzz in VP debate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The vice presidential debate featured plexiglass barriers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They were no match for the night's most talked-about intruder — a fly that briefly buzzed around the stage before landing and staying on Mike Pence's head.

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Military blindsided by Trump's new Afghan troop withdrawal

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military was blindsided Thursday by President Donald Trump's assertion that all U.S. troops will be out of Afghanistan by the end of the year, with U.S. officials saying they are not aware of such a plan and have gotten no actual order to accelerate the more gradual pullout they've been executing.

US hits all of Iran's financial sector with sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has blacklisted virtually all of Iran's financial sector, dealing another blow to an economy that is already reeling under U.S. sanctions. The move will deepen tensions with European nations and others over Iran.

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